Walking as Meditation
Walking is known to provide clear health benefits for your body. It’s good for your heart, helps you burn calories, and it is good for your circulation.
But here is something else for you to think about: why not use your walking as a time for meditation?. Most people start walking because it’s an excellent form of exercise, injuries are rarely experienced and there is no learning involved. Easy, easy, easy.
No expensive equipment necessary (great for your pocketbook). You just start walking and you are instantly on the road to better health. If you combine this with meditation, or mindful walking, you will find your gains to be priceless.
What is walking meditation? Walking meditation is when you consciously focus on your every step. No need to increase your speed, in fact, you will more than likely begin by walking at a slower pace so you can get the hang of the practice of meditating while walking.
As you concentrate on your walking, make mental notes of the flow of your footsteps. Mindful walking is a practice that originated in Buddhism, in particular the art of Ayatana. In Christianity, walking the labyrinth is considered a form of walking meditation.
Using walking as meditation helps you stay focused on the here and now. As you become more skilled at this practice, you will find yourself better able to let go of your worries and stress.
Common forms of meditation have you sitting with eyes closed, concentrating within. With walking meditation, your eyes are wide open, absorbing the outside world. This gives you the opportunity to break away from the mind and all its clutter; a priceless tool, especially for us westerners
Basic guidelines for walking meditation:
* Walk in an area that you are familiar and comfortable with.
* Attempt to walk for a 20 minute time period. If you find that is too long for you, then you may want to begin with a 5 minute period and work your way up to 20 minutes.
* Start walking with a relaxed posture.
* Concentrate on how your feet feel.
* Let your arms relax, down by your side.
* As you walk, keep your focus about 3 to 6 feet in front of you.
In conclusion, walking meditation is a practice that is easy to add into your daily exercise. Along with taking care of your body’s well-being, you will also be enhancing the well-being of your mind and spirit.
Just start walking.
